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Catching Car Collisions with a Dash Cam

Most Americans think that an auto-related accident could never happen to
them; but, with more people crowding the road every day, it seems almost
inevitable that a car crash is just around the corner. So how does one
protect themselves in the case of an auto-related accident? How do you
prove your case if you're not at fault?

One possible solution that motorists across the world have turned to is
the installation of dash cams. Over one million Russian drivers have dash
cams installed, and for more than just catching footage of meteors tearing
through the Siberian sky. Insurance companies in the U.K. have begun to
recognize dash cams footage as evidence and have even offered discounted
rates to drivers who have them installed. Although insurers in the United
States seem reluctant to offer similar deals, the dash cam has slowly
become more popular in recent years, finding its way into buses and police
cars, and it seems likely that the rest of the U.S. will soon catch on.

A dash dam is perhaps a little limited: it is locked into a forward-facing
position and lacks audio. It will be unable to provide much evidence to
an insurance adjuster if the dispute is based on a side or rear-end collision.
Important to insurers is the severity of impact-which is something that
may not always be obvious in a dash cam's recording. However, a dash
cam is useful for disputing traffic violations, such as running red lights
or stop signs, or collisions that occur on the front side of the vehicle;
and it has long been true that most people behave more appropriately when
they know they are being watched.

In the U.S., the use of the dash cam has only just begun to become mainstream,
and major insurance companies still offer no discount to individuals that
decide to equip their vehicle with one. Holly Anderson of State Farm states:
“When we provide a discount it is based on something that we believe
will lower our claims costs, such as a customer’s driving history
that indicates he or she is a safe driver. While a dash cam may provide
information about why a crash occurred, it is not a device that is designed
to inhibit the crash from happening in the first place.” In the
case of a car accident, dash cam footage is treated similarly to photographic
evidence; and, in cases where no witnesses are present, the footage just
might help prove your case to the insurance adjuster.

Local laws should always be observed when installing a dash cam. Some regulations
place limits on the installation of such devices, citing it as an obstruction
of the driver's visibility. To be sure that you are protected and
in accordance with the law, contact the legal team here at Carter Mario
with any questions.